Protests have erupted at Michelin’s Cholet facility as employees react to the announcement of its closure by 2026, citing declining sales and competition. Workers express their anger through demonstrations, seeking a dignified exit and better severance. Continuous strikes have slowed production, prompting legal interventions from Michelin to restore access to the site. Amidst the turmoil, a sense of pride in their work and community remains strong among the employees, who feel discarded by the company they dedicated years to.
Protests Erupt as Michelin Cholet Site Faces Closure
Amidst burning pallets and heaps of tires, an effigy representing a Michelin worker swings ominously from a gallows. Employees are expressing their anger over the impending closure of the Cholet facility (Maine-et-Loire), determined to ‘leave with dignity’ as they fight for their rights.
“This is it, my job, my salary, my friends—everything is gone. This factory was not just theirs; it was ours too. They have grown rich off our hard work, and now we are being discarded like trash. Working at Michelin was a source of pride,” shares Jack Roux, a 50-year-old employee who dedicated 24 years to the Cholet plant.
Since the closure announcement on November 5, numerous employees have maintained a continuous presence outside the factory gates, setting up a makeshift area with a gray sofa and garden chairs beneath a canopy, all while smoke billows from barrels nearby.
Struggling with Uncertainty
For Roux, accepting a meager severance package is not an option. “I’d rather not be here, but this is our last chance: to negotiate a dignified exit,” he declares, standing amid a stack of tires.
Fellow worker Anis Ben Tijani, 47, wearing a CFDT vest, expresses his devastation: “I can’t stop thinking about it; it even haunts my dreams,” he laments, concerned that after 13 years with the company, finding a similar job elsewhere is unlikely given his current salary.
“A job means more than just a paycheck; I took pride in saying I worked for Michelin. They may offer relocations, but my wife’s family is here in Cholet, and relocating would disrupt her stability,” he explains.
On a white wall near the factory entrance, graffiti reads: “Arrived young and motivated, left worn out and damaged,” and “You owe us more than just speeches and charity.”
On November 5, Michelin’s management announced the closure of the Cholet (955 employees) and Vannes (299 employees) sites by 2026, citing a significant downturn in sales for truck and van tires.
Michelin claims that these closures have become unavoidable due to increasing competition from Asian markets.
In response to the announcement, frustrated employees quickly voted to strike, blocking truck access to the facility, which has since been operating at reduced capacity.
“We’re not stopping anyone from entering on foot; employees can still work. However, production has slowed due to the lack of trucks moving in and out,” notes Bastien You, a CGT representative.
Legal Maneuvers and Ongoing Tensions
In an effort to resolve the blockade, Michelin has summoned seven employees to appear before the Angers court, requesting that they allow free access to the site for vehicles and individuals. According to the court summons, the company seeks to end any obstruction to its delivery area.
The judge has since ordered a mediation meeting between the parties involved, with a decision on whether to proceed with mediation to follow. Michelin has affirmed that it will adhere to the court’s ruling.
The company emphasized the need for a swift return to normal operations, citing the overwhelming majority of Cholet employees affected by the ongoing blockade.
In response, the lawyer for the seven employees, Me Hugo Salquain, praised the court’s responsible decision, condemning Michelin’s “savage capitalism” and highlighting the contradiction of the company summoning employees while claiming to be in dialogue.
Recently, police and firefighters visited the site to urge workers to extinguish the tire fires, resulting in wooden pieces replacing tires in the bonfires.